Hi all.

Just a couple of squirrel photos from today with my 600 f/4 and tc20eIII. Shot with my D3s on a series 5 Gitzo and Wimberley gimbal. These are both completely uncropped.

Creation date: 7/29/2012 09:25
Camera: NIKON D3S
Lens: Unknown model (600mm F4 D; ID: 49 3C A6 A6 30 30 F4 02)
Focal length: 1200 mm (equiv. 1200 mm)
Aperture: F9
Exposure time: 1/400"
ISO speed rating: 2000/34°
Program: Manual
Metering Mode: Pattern
White Balance: 4550K
Focus Mode: AF-C
Gitzo Series 5 tripod w/Wimberley gimbal




Creation date: 7/29/2012 09:19
Camera: NIKON D3S
Lens: Unknown model (600mm F4 D; ID: 49 3C A6 A6 30 30 F4 02)
Focal length: 1200 mm (equiv. 1200 mm)
Aperture: F8
Exposure time: 1/320"
ISO speed rating: 1250/32°
Program: Manual
Metering Mode: Pattern
White Balance: 4550K
Focus Mode: AF-C
Gitzo Series 5 tripod w/Wimberley gimbal



As always, any comments, criticism or advice very welcome.

JIM

Up close and personal - great shots!

Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others. <><

Hi John.

Thanks for commenting. The squirrel was barely outside of minimum focus distance at 1200mm. I really only posted the shots to mention that in shade (which the squirrel was in) autofocus with the tc20 eIII on my D3s was nonexistent (and then forgot to mention it). So these were both shot with manual focus. I have been lauding the new tc20 for it's image quality but the lack of autofocus accuracy on both my 500 f/4 and my 600 f/4 even in good light has caused me to reevaluate.

It took me this long to come to this realization simply because I have had no time for shooting birds with the new setup.

I have determined that I will go back to using the 1.7 tc for birding and such.

JIM

Up close and personal - great shots!

Disclaimer - I didn't forget my post so don't know how this one came about. Sorry about the double post; maybe the moderator can delete?

Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others. <><

James,

Nothing squirrelly about these images! Well done!

John

jdroach, a Milwaukee area and sometimes Chicago area Nikonian.





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Hi John.

Funny! Thanks for taking the time to comment. See my reply above.

JIM

Nothing wrong with manual focus

Al

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Hi Al.

You're right of course but autofocus does come in handy. I should mention that on my 70-200 f/2.8 the autofocus with the tc20eIII is perfect.

My goal with wildlife (especially birds) is to get to about 1000mm. Beyond that, good pictures are difficult (at least for me) out in the field.

JIM

Hi Jim, those are nice shots.

I've had mixed luck with AF on my 200-400 with the TC-20E III and basically no luck with it on a rented 600mm. As you say, on the 70-200 it works like a charm.

Charlie...
stalking light

Nikonians Team Member

Hi Charlie.

I haven't really tried it yet on my 200-400. Thanks for reminding me. And thanks for the kind words.

JIM

Well done with the 2x TC on the 600, nice sharp whiskers. I've only played around with it a little on my 600mm. I was fortunate enough to have AF work with my D300, although it did hunt a lot more (light was also pretty decent). So far, I'm finding the IQ drops off quite a bit from the straight 600 or compared to the 600 with the 1.4TC, but really do need to evaluate some more to come up with a more conclusive evaluation. Right now, not sure if it was the best investment I made (over $500 in Canada about a year a go).
Have used it on my 70-200, liked its performance on closer subjects; for distant ones, one again IQ suffered and bokeh was not very attractive.

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Richard

Hi Richard.

The AF works with the D3s as well but you can't rely on it and it hunts like crazy. When it does snap in, the focus is great. Like you, I have a lot more evaluation to do.

Shooting the moon really impressed me with the new 2x tc and my 600 f/4 (manual focus of course).

I agree with you regarding the bokeh using it on the 70-200 but the autofocus was great.

Here's a moon shot from a couple of days ago:




JIM

Hi Charlie.

Well, had a chance to give the tc20 e III a good workout today with the 200-400 f/4 and came to the same conclusion as with the 500 f/4 and the 600 f/4. Pretty spotty autofocus even in good light and lots of hunting. Guess I'll just have to spring for a D4 just for shooting with the 2x teleconverter on f/4 lenses.

JIM

Nice shots Jim. The moon shot is exceptional!

Thanks for sharing,


Vaughn

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Hi Vaughn.

Great to hear from you. Thanks for the kind words regarding the moon shot. I only stuck that in there because the discussion got off onto the tc20eIII.

Further experimentation with the 200-400 f/4 and the tc20eIII in really good light has caused me to modify my analysis in a more favorable direction but it is still iffy.

JIM